On the Roads of Samarkand, Wonders of Silk and Gold - Paris - Until 4-6-2023

[dognose]

Institut du Monde Arabe
1, rue des Fosses Saint Bernard
75005 Paris


On the Roads of Samarkand. Wonders of Silk and Gold

Until 4th June 2023

A collection of unique works, exhibited for the first time outside the museums of Uzbekistan, can be discovered at the IMA. In other words, several hundred pieces, and as many splendors made at the turn of the 20th century , which plunge us into the history and ancestral know-how of a country that is a melting pot of ancient civilisations.

Sumptuous chapan coats and gold-embroidered accessories from the Emir's court, painted wooden saddles, silver horse harnesses set with turquoises, precious Suzanis embroidered hangings, carpets , silk ikats, jewelry and costumes from the nomadic culture as well than about fifteen orientalist paintings: over a course deployed over more than 1100 m² are deployed nearly 300 new pieces, representative of the treasures of Uzbekistan.

Treasures of Craftsmanship Constitutive of Uzbek Identity

"On the roads of Samarkand" magnifies the renaissance of artisanal splendours in the 19th and early 20th centuriescentury, constitutive of Uzbek identity. Textiles, following the example of the powers of the Islamic world, play a major role in this; Bukhara embroidery, in particular, occupies a special place among the many art forms of Uzbekistan. It was during the Emirate of Bukhara (1785-1920) that gold embroidery reached its peak and its fame in terms of technique, quality and above all creativity. A number of splendid and monumental productions – chapans, dresses, headdresses, saddle cloths mixing colors and gold – reserved for the court and for diplomatic gifts were exclusively made in the Emir's private workshop and bear witness to his opulent art of living. Many other pieces are to be discovered throughout the exhibition, offering a broader perspective of the society of the time, including the famous ikats and their anthology of colors,

A Land of Inspiration for Painters

At the turn of the century, Turkestan – territory which covered the future republic of Uzbekistan – was the destination of choice for many artists from Central Asia and Russia. New art schools were created in the 1920s; an Uzbek school is born, of which Alexandre Volkov (1886-1957) takes the head. The painters will discover this territory and find in the richness of the landscapes, shapes, colors and faces of Central Asia a unique inspiration. Thus we find, in the subjects worked, the carpets, suzanis, chapans and ikats presented in the exhibition, each artist approaching this quest for elsewhere and exoticism by following his own style.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - weekends and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Closed Mondays

Admission: €12

https://www.imarabe.org/fr/expositions/ ... ie-et-d-or